Aaron J Hudson
ENG101.0806
Prof. Rimmer May 19th, 2006
The physical and emotional changes before and after the War in Iraq, on both sides and for all those involved have caused much debate whether or not, the war is justified. Who are we fighting for? Our freedoms as Americans or a man with a personal grudge against a ruler who threatened his daddy’s life?
Who’s our enemy in this war? Osama Bin Laden? Saddam Hussein? Or the 9 year old boy across the border with the AK47 assault rifle? And, what are we fighting for, our pride and independence or the greed of politicians to retain control of the “black gold” of the Middle East. The answers believed by those involved all agree on one final statement; life before and after the War in Iraq has changed and here are some of their changes.
The United States of America projects an image of prosperity, freedoms that the country of Iraq could never dream of having under the rule of Saddam.
Three weeks after the day the war begun, the war was over. The Iraqi’s expected the same rate of results in the rebuilding of their country once the
Americans took over the government. Uday Abdul al-Wahab, a store owner in
Baghdad who confessed, “At least we had power and security under Saddam.
Democracy is not feeding us.”(Time Reporters 32) This quote was taken out of the article, “Life Under Fire” from the July 4 th , 2003 issue of Time magazine. His

opinion about the success of restoring Iraq is not a positive one. This war has not just affected Americans. There are friendly sectors in the war torn country of Iraq who wish to see the restoration of their home. Another Iraqi, Kais al-
Shakrchi, a TV repairman is more of and optimist but a realist at the same time,
“Ninety nine percent want America and want to work with them. But if I am hungry, I will kill my own father, not just the Americans.” (Time Reporters 34)
You get the impression that the Iraqis are eager for change but some are not as hopeful as others that the Americans can make that change happen.
Across the globe in America, we are very much aware of what happened on 9/11 and are fortunate that the war is not being fought on American soil.
Yet, we are just as much affected by the catastrophe none the less. An unfamiliar police force has changed the face of the law after the attacks.
Instead of the city and state Police Force we are used to, “The military wants to assign a single four–star officer to protect American territory.” (Thompson 60)
Now, here’s where the war hits home. We are now forced to live in a world surrounded by military personnel armed with M16-A2 Service Rifles protecting us. The idea alone is frightening for the average person to imagine. Feeling safe will be the last thought about this maneuver. One major concern is that, yes, the military is trained to wage wars, not police work. It’s training on a total different scale of magnitude. What’s going to happen if a robber snatches an elderly woman’s purse on the street? The military is going to take him out instead of taking him down with one shot? This is what 9/11 has caused, a military police force to patrol our malls and theaters; a change that is not too welcomed on American soil.

Being a United States Marine for eight years has definitely widened my mentality about what we do, our purpose, and how important we are to our nation. It has also forced me to realize how spoiled we are as a nation and what a wake up call and impact 9/11 had on us. Fortunately, I was honorably discharged from the Marines before my unit was sent to Iraq. I am also fortunate to remain friends and forever brothers with men who have served in
Iraq for multiple tours. I interviewed some of them to gather their feelings and opinions about the change brought upon American soil by the war on Iraq. I asked them various questions such as their expectations of their assignment in
Iraq, involvement in any life threatening moments while in Iraq, notice of any immediate or long term change in the States upon return, and if their were any moments where they felt they were doing the right thing by being apart of this war. Corporal Hector Serrano expressed his expectations in one simple statement, “To make it home in one piece!” (Serrano 2) Coming back home to his son was his primary focus and his comment displayed just that. Lance
Corporal Thomas Kimble noticed a change in himself after his return home to
America, “I was very jumpy and appreciated everything more.” (Kimble 3)
Kimble realized what I feel we should all realize on a daily basis, how precious life is and what we have really means. Life means nothing if you don’t appreciate what you have and how fortunate you are to have anything. Kimble also voiced a great statement that the average American never realizes of all of our soldiers, “My life was threatened everyday I was there. There was always a threat of scuds and bullets.” (Kimble 3) Sergeant Joseph Ventimeglia added to
Kimble’s remarks by adding, “Being in the infantry everyday was a life

threatening moment. Every day was a fight to stay alive; some things people just wont understand.” (Ventimeglia 4) Both Marines mirror each other’s feelings by realizing that there is no peaceful moment during war time. Every waking moment, you are always on the alert and challenging everything that comes your way. Sergeant Ventimeglia sums up his reasoning for being in the war, “I received a letter from an orphan who called me a hero for what I was doing. He was 9 and lost his mother and father in the World Trade Center.
After that, I knew exactly what I was doing there.” (Ventimeglia 4) Whether you felt America was right or wrong for going to war against Iraq, Sgt.
Ventimeglia realized what mattered the most, hundreds of Americans lost their lives and something needed to be done about it. All the Marines interviewed had different views and opinions about the war but a Marine’s job is not to question why, but when and where. All their lives have changed due to this conflict, inside and out of their country. All they can do now is carry on, learn from their experiences, and continue doing what they are trained to do…defend our country against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
So has life changed since the war began? Yes it has! We are smarter and more aware Americans. Our spirit was tainted, our beliefs in our leaders have been rattled, but our determination to rebuild our buildings and lives has prevailed. For those of us who have experienced first hand what it is like to be faced with death, damn right our lives has changed. We have been reminded greatly of what is important to us, what our purpose really is in the military and how screwed up and incompetent our government can be. SEMPER FI!

Kucera, Joshua, Beyer, Lisa, Calabresi, Massimo, Cooper, Matthew, Carney,
James, and Thompson, Mark. "Life Under Fire."
Time 14 July 2003: 27-34.
Dickerson, John F. “Soldier On The Beat.”
Time 03 December 2001: 60-61.
Vargas, William. Personal interview. 10 May 2006
Serrano, Hector. Personal interview. 12 May 2006
Kimble, Thomas. Personal interview. 14 May 2006
Ventimeglia, Joseph. Personal interview. 14 May 2006